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Atlanta, Ga- Atlanta United (20-6-6, 66 points) wins an important match over the New England Revolution (8-12-11, 35 points) 2-1. This win solidifies that Atlanta will stay ahead of the New York Red Bulls in the Supporters’ Shield Race.
George Bello scored his first MLS goal after receiving a pin-point pass from Leandro Gonzalez Pirez that split the defender. Bello then shot a dart past Revolution’s goal keeper Brad Knighton in the 16th minute.
“It really hadn’t settle down to me yet but in a few hours I will be going crazy. It’s a great feeling,” stated Bello. The 16-year old became the sixth youngest player in MLS history to score a goal.
Julian Gressel got in the act by scoring his fourth goal of the year on a give-and-go play with Tito Villalba. Gressel, dribbling from midfield, sent a pass to Villalba and as Villalba hesitated, Gressel streaked forward, received the pass and shot a laser inside the far post in the 52nd minute.
“We controlled the game today.We wanted to come out and be on top and control it,” stated Gressel.
United attacked from start to finish not letting up until New England’s Juan Agudelo scored in the second half of stoppage time.
The win became costly as Miguel Almiron exited the game with a left leg injury. Almiron went down without any contact until being helped off the field in the 30th minute. He was replaced by Ezequiel Barco. No official word on the injury.
United will host Chicago Fire on next Sunday at 3:00 pm eastern.
MATCH RESOURCES
LINE SCORE
Atlanta United 2, New England Revolution 1
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta, Georgia
STATS
Shots: 13-11 Atlanta
Shots on Target: 6-3 Atlanta
Corner kicks: 5-2 New England
Fouls committed: 20-5 New England
Saves: 4-2 New England
Clearances: 28-7 Atlanta
Offside: 6-1 Atlanta
Possession: 62-38 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 85-77 Atlanta
SCORING SUMMARY
ATL – George Bello (Leandro Gonzalez Pirez) 17’ [HIGHLIGHT]
ATL – Julian Gressel (Tito Villalba) 52’ [HIGHLIGHT]
NE – Juan Agudelo (Diego Fagundez) 90+2’ [HIGHLIGHT]
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
NE – Wilfried Zahibo (yellow) 16’
NE – Zachary Herivaux (yellow) 38’
NE – Guillermo Hauche (yellow) 56’
NE – Luis Caicedo (yellow) 64’
ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP
Brad Guzan; Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Michael Parkhurst ©, Jeff Larentowicz; George Bello, Eric Remedi, Darlington Nagbe, Julian Gressel; Tito Villalba (Franco Escobar – 67’), Miguel Almirón (Ezequiel Barco – 30’), Josef Martinez.
Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Jose Hernandez, Kevin Kratz, Andrew Carleton, Romario Williams.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION STARTING LINEUP
Brad Knighton; Kelyn Rowe, Brandon Bye, Michael Mancienne, Antonio Mlinar Delamea; Zachary Herivaux (Diego Fagundez – 69’), Luis Caicedo; Crisitian Penilla, Wilfried Zahibo (Jalil Anibaba – 57’), Guillermo Hauche (Juan Aguedelo – 57’); Teal Bunbury.
Substitutes not used: Cristhian Machado, Brian Wright, Isaac Angking, Matt Turner.
ATTENDANCE
45,122
OFFICIALS
Kevin Stott (referee), Brian Poeschel (assistant), Andrew Bigelow (assistant), Rubiel Vazquez (fourth), Edvin Jurisevic (VAR).
TEAM NOTES
- Atlanta picked up its 20th win of the season, tying Toronto FC (2017) and Seattle Sounders (2014) for the most regular season wins in the post-shootout era.
- Miguel Almirón left the game in the 30th minute with a left leg injury.
- George Bello became the sixth youngest player to score a goal in MLS history at 16 years, 257 days.
- Jeff Larentowicz appeared in his 389th career game, good for fourth place all-time in MLS history by a field player.
- Larentowicz also started his 370th career MLS game, also ranking in fourth place in MLS history by a field player.
- With 67 goals, Atlanta is now tied for the eighth most goals in a regular season.
- With a +28-goal differential, Atlanta is now tied for the fifth-best differential in league history.
